VERO BEACH, Fla. -- A former North Greenbush Democratic Party Committee chairman waived his right to a formal arraignment on Dec. 12 with plans to submit a written plea of not guilty in a later court date, according to his attorney.

The 84-year-old Germano was also re-arrested earlier this month and is now facing an additional felony.

Andrew Metcalf, of Green & Metcalf in Vero Beach, said his client, F. James Germano, denies allegations he attempted to solicit sexual favors from a minor and his mother in early November, and he is "100 percent innocent."

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Germano, who was a 40-year member of the North Greenbush Democratic Committee and served as chairman for 31, was accused of trying to solicit a 12-year-old boy at a bus stop five miles away from the boy's residence. He then solicited the boy's mother.

According to a Vero Beach Police report, Germano approached the boy in a black Cadillac where he allegedly asked the boy, "Do you want to get in my car so I can give you a ride?" and "If I pay you $50..." for sexual favors.

The boy called his mother on his cellphone to alert her of Germano's alleged actions. On her way to the bus stop, police said Germano then pulled his car up near her and tried to solicit her as well.

The charges against Germano have changed, according to Metcalf, but the allegations remain the same. Germano was re-arrested on Dec. 5, according to Indian River County courthouse records, where the additional charge of lewd lascivious acts on a child, a felony, were brought against him. He was originally charged with procuring a person under 18-years-old for prostitution, a felony, two counts of misdemeanor stalking and one count of misdemeanor soliciting for prostitution.

Germano posted $50,000 bail, which is in addition to the $15,000 he posted for the initial arrest.

The State Attorney assigned to prosecute, Brian Workman, declined to comment on any specifics of the case.

This is not the first time Germano has found himself in legal trouble as he was indicted in a 2002 scandal which involved former Rensselaer County Executive Henry Zwack and three of his top aides. Prosecutors alleged Germano was involved in a quid pro quo with Zwack by assuring him the Conservative Party line, which Germano controlled, in exchange for giving Germano's grandson another attempt at the physical agility portion of the civil service test, which he had failed previously while trying to become a police officer.

All of the five accused were acquitted.

Germano is due back in court on Jan. 24 at 9 a.m., when Germano's attorney will let the judge know what direction he is going with the case.